Method of and apparatus for extracting oils and the like



nrwms. METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR EXTBACTING OILS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB-29. H216.

Patented Nov. 2, 1920.

flT'rozA/E ve- UNITED STATES RAYMOND WELLS, on HOMER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO- GOIBWELL CORPORATION,

PATENT. T oerce- CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF VIRGINIA.

METHOD or AND APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTINGOILS AND THE LIKE.

- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 2, 1920.

Application filed February 29, 1916. Serial No. 81,144.

To all whom it may concern:

' of Homer, county of Cortland, and State of larger amount of water.

New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Methods of and Apparatus for Extracting Oils and the like, of wh1ch the following is a specification, the principle of theinvention being herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions. v

The general aspects of the present im: proved method, or process, of extracting 011s and the like, are the same as those set forth in my co-pending applicatio filed March 11, 1915', Serial N 0. 13,718. The present method, together with the apparatus, which I have specially designed for usein connection therewith, as in the case of the method disclosed in the aforesaid application, is particularly adapted for the rendering, drying and disposal of materials in which the oils, greases, or the like, to be extracted, are found .in conjunction with a smaller or Such method of disposal, in other words, is particularly adapted for the treatment of municipal garbage, abbatoi'r and rendering-house oifals and refuse, and raw materials of fish, vegetable and meat canneries. As indicated, however, the invention is not limited to the treatment of the particular materials named, but is equally adaptable for the extraction of the essential oils from seeds, beans and other oil bearing vegetable substances.

or-carbon tetrachlorid, insoluble in water, but capable of dissolving the oil or other ingredients to be extracted; thereupon raise the temperature of the mass to a point where the combined vapor tensions of such solvent and waterare equal to, orgreater than the vapor pressure insuch' chamber, thereby s1- multaneously evaporating such water with such medium; and add more of such medium so as to maintain the body thereof in'such chamber, substantially constant.

In this general process, as heretofore carried out, I have utilized for the chamber in which the foregoing operations are carried on, 'a' flat, shallow receptacle of circular outline, into which the material to be treated is deposited so as to form a layer, of greater or less depth, covering the bottom of such chamber. In order to successfully carry out the several steps of the method or process it has then been necessary to manipulate the material, this being preferably accomplished by agitation through the medium of rotating arms disposed in the nhamber, and near its bottom, and re uiring to be driven by external power. side from-certain practical considerations, limiting the size of a chamber of this sort, I have found that where the mass of material b'eing'treated is large in amount, the power consumption is "a considerable item and adds materially to the with, whereby the-size of the charge of ma-:

terial may be greatly increased without encountering practical difliculties in the con struction of the chamber, and whereby, furthermore, the necessity for stirring, or agitating the material while being treated, is entirely obviated. In other words, with my presenb'imp'roved method and apparatus it is not necessary tomanipulate-the material atall, during its treatment, and at the same time the essential elements of the apparatus are arranged in much more compact form, requiring less space, and consequently reducing the size of the plant needed to handle ends, said invention, then, consistsv of,'the

and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed draw1ng:--

i any given quantity of material. To the 56- 'complishment of theforegoing and related Figure 1 isa side elevational view, more or less diagrammatic, in character, and with parts broken away in order to disclose the interior construction of an apparatus arranged for carrying out my improved proc ess or method; and Fig. 2 is an end view of I general rectangular form, the size and proor Welded together so as to I drawing. The trays 7 in, are of hollow construction,

8 to facilitate their handling,

portions thereof being, of course, subject to modification, depending upon the quantity and character of the material being han died. This chamber will preferably be con- 7 structed of sheets of metal, suitably riveted be effectively airtight, and is completely closed save for the connections hereinafter to be described, and save for certain openings provided for the introduction and removal of the material being treated.

As indicated in the portion of the chamber, from which a lateral wall has been shown as being broken away in Fig. 1, said chamber is divided into a plurailty of horizontal sub-chambers or compartments 2, siX

as sho vvn, by means of correspondingly disposed partitions 3. The number of such compartments may be, of course, varied, as well as their relativeheights, although for the purpose in'hand, the compartments will be preferably of the same height, as shown. The partitions 3 in question, as also the bot tom 4, or floor of the chamber, forming the bottom of the lowermost compartment there that is, they consist of two plates spaced a suitable'distance apart, so as to permit of the introduction of steam, or like heating medium into such partitions and bottom wall, in order to heat the contentsv of the corresponding compartments/ It has not been deemed necessary to show in detail the connections for supplying steam to these-hollow partitions, as they will resemble in general, the connections employed with any steam jacketed apparatus or radiator. At one end of the chamber 1 a series of openings 5 are provided, one in alinement with each of the compartments formed as aforesaid, with the exception of the lowermost thereof, suitable doors 6 or other closures being provided, whereby such openings may be sealed while the operation is in progress Upon opening the doors '6 just described, however, each of the compartments is rendered accessible for the introduction, or removal, of one or more trays, or baskets which are preferably provided with rollers both inside and outside of the compartment. These rollers at the same time serve to support such trays, or baskets, some distancd above the floor of the compartment, as clearly shown in the are open on top, and their bottoms and walls are constructed of reticulated material, such as wire netting, or the like, so as to permit any liquid that may be supplied to the corresponding com- 1 is a supply pipe 8 leading closed, to freely permeate in such trays or baskets. This material will be thus disposed in the form of a relatively shallow layer, not to exceed example, where it consists of garbage or the like, the level thereof being indicated in the trays in the upper compartment 2 by the dotted line (z-a. I

Connected with such upper compartment from a storage tank 9, which is preferably divided into two compartments l0, 10 by a transverse partition 11, with appropriate valve-controlled discharge connections 12, '12 from each, a. pump 13 being interposed in this supply line, at a suitable point, unless gravity may be relied upon to provide a proper flow. Located preferably at a higher level than this tank, is a condenser consisting of several coils of pipe l-l in a suitable coiling tank 15. The discharge end 16 of: the condenser coil is connected with a gravity separator 17, which is adapted to overflow from its upper end through a pipe 18 into either of the aforesaid storage chambers 10, a siphon overflow pipe 19 being connected with the lower end of said separator, and discharging into a waste pipe 20. 1

The condenser coil ll is connected by means of one pipe 21 with the lowermost. compartment 2 in the reduction chamber 1, and by means" of another pipe 22, having suitable branches constituting a manifold 23, with all of the remaining compartments of such reduction chamber. Suitable control valves will, of course, be interposed in the aforesaid lines of pipe, as indicated, or

found necessary, to properly regulate the flow of vapor or liquid, as the case may be, from one part of the general apparatus to another.

Assuming the trays, or baskets 7 to be supplied with the material to be treated disposed the material bemg treated, which is intended to be disposed six inches, for

in a layer in each thereof as previously deto be placed in the sev- 2 designed for their rebe thereupon sealed the first step in the scribed, such trays eral compartments ception, and the latter to by closing the doors 6,

operation of the apparatus will consist in admitting solvent liquidfrom one or the other of the storage tanks"10,through the supply pipe 8 totheuppe'rmost' compartmentl From this compartment the liquid in question is led by meansof a series of valve-controlled by pass 's '25 to each successive lower compartment, until such liquid attains a level in: each such compartment an inch or so abovethe' layer'of material disposed in the trays supportedin such compartment. Thereupon, th -valves the aforesaid by-passes are closedfand, steam being admitted to the several hollowpartitions 3, a temperature is quickly reached to thesame condenser, as do the vapors from which will cause the combined vapor pressures of such solvent and the water contained in the material, to equal the pres-.

sure above the mass in the respective compartments, so that water and solvent will be nto pass over through the manifold 28 and plpe 22 to the condenser, coil 15. From the condenser such water and solvent, restored to liquid form, pass to the separator 17, where they are separated, the water overconstant. For this purpose, valve-controlled overflow connections 26 from each compartment to the one immediately below are provided, whereby the level in each such compartment may be maintained, substantially as hereinbefore indicated.

Such of the solvent as is allowed to percolate through the mass of material in the successive compartments before the first series of bypass connections is closed, as well as the solvent that finally overflows from the lowermost of said compartments during the stage of the operation last referred to, collects in the lowermost com artment, as will be readily understood. his compartment having likewise a steam-heated bottom, or floor, serves as a still, the vaporized solvent passing ofi through the pipe the compartments above. The dissolved oil or grease; however, carried by the solvent into this lowermost compartment, or. still, remains behind, and gradually accumulates, and at the end of the operation is drawn off through asuitable discharge pipe 27 provided for the purpose, as need not be further explained.

,Upon completion of the extraction process proper, the doors to the respective compartments are again opened, the trays removed and emptied of their contents; whereupon they are ready to receive a fresh charge, and the operation may then be repeated, uslng the same body of solvent over as often as desired.

The simplicity-and compactness of the apparatusrequired to carry out this improved process of extraction should be obvious; and

the advantages in the process itself, requiring no manipulation or stirrin of the ma- .terial while in process, shoul be equally manifest. At the same time I am enabled to retain all of the advantages inherent in the general process or method of treatment, wherein the water present in the ma erial being treated is boiled off while the mass is immersed in the'solution, and the extraction where the combined vapor v proper thereupon immediately proceede with.

Other modes of applying the principle of my lnvention may be employed insteadfof the one explained, change being made as regards the steps. or mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed. I

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1, In a method of extracting oils and the like from a material also containing water, the steps which consist in supporting a body of such material in a suitable chamber so as to be exposed above and below; supplying to such chamber a medium insoluble in water but capable of dissolving the oil or other ingredient to be extracted, the amount of such medium being suflicient to immerse bined vapor tensions of such medium and water are equal to or greater than the vapor pressure in such chamber, thereby simultaneously evaporating such water with such medium; and adding more of such medium, so as to maintain the amount thereof in such chamber substantially constant.

2. In a method of extracting oils and the like from a material also containing water, the steps which consist in suppbrting a body of such material in a suitable chamber so as to be exposed above and below; supplying to such chamber a medium insoluble in water but capable of dissolving the oil or other ingredient to be extracted, the amount of such'medium being. sufficient to immerse such body of material; raising the temperature of the mass to a point Where the combined vapor tensions of such medium and water are equal to or greater than the vapor pressure in such chamber, thereby simultaneously evaporating such water with such,

medium; adding more of such medium, so as to maintain the body thereof substantially constant; and then drawing offthe body of such medium with dissolved content of oil, or the like, after the water has I been substantially all evaporate d,

3. In a'method of extracting 011s and the like from a material also containing water,

pable of dissolving the oil or other ingredi- I ent to be extracted, medium being sufficient to immerse such body of material; applylng heat to such medium below such material until the' of the mass is raised to a point temperature I tenslons of such the amount of suchmedium and water are equal to or greater tially constant.

i 4; In a method o f extracting oils and the like from aamaterial also containing water, the steps whichconsist in supporting a body ,"of such material in a suitable chamber in the form of a layer spaced from the bottom and top of the chamber; supplying to such chamber a medium insoluble in water but capable of dissolving the oil or other ingredient to be extracted; the amount of such medium being sufiicient to immerse such body of material; applying heat to such medium below such material until the temperature ofthe mass is raised to a point where the combined vapor tensions of. such medium and water are equal to or greater than the vapor pressure in such chamber,

-thereby simultaneously evaporating such water with such medium; adding more of such medium, so as to maintain the body thereof substantially constant; and then drawing off the body of such medium with dissolved content of oil, or the like, after the water has been substantially all evaporated.

5. In a method of extracting oils and the like from .a material also containing water, the steps which consist in supporting a body of such material in each of a series oi suitable chambers in the form of a layer spacedfrom the bottom and top of the chamber; supplying to'su'eh cham iers a medium insoluble in water but capable of dissolving the oil or other ingredient to be extracted, the amount of such solvent supplied to each chamber bein sufiicignt to immerse the body of material t erein; applying heat to sue 1 medium in each such chamber below such body. of material until the temperature of the mass is raisedto a point where the combined vapor tensions of such solvent and water are equal to or greater than the vapor pressure in such chamber, thereby simultaneously evaporating such water with such medium; and adding more of such medium to the first chamber in the series and thence passing the excess on to the other chambers in succession, so as to maintain the amount thereof in each such chamber substantially constant.

6. In a method of extracting oils and the 7 like from a material also containing water,

' "the stepswhich. consist in supporting a body of such material in each of a series of suit: able chambers in the form of a layer spaced from the bottom and top of the chamber; supplying to such chambers a medium insoluble in water but capable of dissolving) the oil or other ingredient to be extracted,

the amount of such solvent supplied to each chamber being suflicient to immerse the bodyof material therein; applying heat to such medium in each such chamber below such body of material until the temperature of the mass is raised to a point where the combined vapor tensions of such solvent and water are equal to or greater than the vapor pressure in such chamber, thereby simultaneously evaporating such water with such medium; adding more of such medium to the first chamber in the series and thence passing the excess on to the other chambers in succession, so as to maintain the amount thereof in each such chamber substantially constant; and then drawing off the body of such medium, with 'dissolvedcontent of ,oil or the like, after the water has been substantially all evaporated, such medium being thus drawn off from the last chamber of the series after passing in succession through the preceding chambers.

7. In a method of extracting oils and the like from a material also containing water, the steps which consist in percolating a medium insoluble in Water but capable of dissolving the oil or other ingredient to be extracted through such material while stationary in a suitable chamber; then supplying such medium in an amount sufficient to immerse such body of material; and raising the temperature of the mass to a point where the combined vapor tensions of such medium and water are equal to or greater than the vapor pressure in such chamber, thereby simultaneously evaporating such water with such medium.

8. In a method of extracting oils and the like from a material also containing water, the steps which consist in percolating'a medium. insoluble in water but capable of dissolving the oil or other ingredient to be extracted through such material while stationary in a suitable chamber; thensupplying such medium in an amount suflicient to 1mmerse such body of material; raising the temperature of the mass to a point where the combined vapor tensions of such medlum and. water are equal to or greater than the like ,from a material also containing water,.

the steps which consist in percolating a medium insoluble in water but capable of dissolvin the oil or other ingredient to be extracte' through such material while stationary in a suitable chamber; then supplying such medium in an amount sufficient to immerse such body oi material; raising the temperature of the mass to a Point where the combined vapor tensions o such medium and water are equal to or greater than the chamber substantially constant, and maintaining the temperature of the mass until all of the water has been evaporated.

10. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a series of suitable chambers adapted to receive and contain the solvent medium, the bottoms of said chambers being hollow, and arranged to receive a heating medium; of movable trays adapted to support in said chambers bodies of material to be treatedin the form of thin layers spaced from the bottoms and tops of the said chambers;

11. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a series of superposed chambers adapted to receive and contain the solvent medium; of means for supporting the material to be treated in said chambers, respectively, except the lowermost; heating means associated with each of said chambers, liquid connections between each chamber and the one below; and a condenser having independent connections with said chambers.

12. In apparatus of the character de scribed, the combination with a series of superposed chambers adapted to receive and contain the solvent medium; of means for supporting the material to be treated in said chambers, respectively, except the lowermost; heating means associated with each of said chambers; liquid connections between each chamber and the one below; a condenser having independent connections with said chambers; and solvent-supply connections to the uppermost of said chambers.

Signedby me, this23 day of February,

RAYMOND WELLS.

Attested'by ARTHUR B. NELSON, Jos. G. JARVIS. 

